CHAPTER 32
DEPARTMENTS
Section
General Provisions
32.01 Organizational structure
32.03 Departmental rules and regulations
Specific Departments
32.15 Department of Public Safety
32.16 Department of Financial Services
32.17 Department of Fire and Rescue
32.18 Department of Human Resources
32.19 Department of Information Technology.
32.20 Department of Library and Information Services.
32.24 Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
32.25 Department of Public Works
32.26 Department of Development Services
Cross-reference:
Department of City Attorney, see § 31.18
Department of City Clerk, see § 31.17
Departments, Offices, Boards and Commissions, see Charter Article V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
32.01 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.
(A) The administrative function, powers and duties of the city shall be divided into that number of departments which most efficiently identifies organizational accountability and coordinates similar efforts. The creation or reorganization of departments shall be recommended by the Mayor and approved by ordinance.
(B)(1) The Mayor shall maintain an organizational chart of city government that indicates the functions and assigned duties of each department and its subunits.
(2) The organizational chart shall be approved by resolution of the governing body and shall be open to public inspection in the City Clerk’s office.
(’87 Code, § 3-1-1) (Ord. 90-007)
32.02 DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS.
(A) Directors of departments shall be appointed based upon executive and administrative qualifications appropriate to the work of the department.
(B) Directors of departments shall be appointed for an indefinite term until resignation, death or removal and replacement by the appointing authority, or removal by a majority of all of the members of the governing body.
(C) Directors shall be compensated in accordance with the decision of the governing body and the annual budget resolution.
(D) Under direction of the City Manager, each director of a department shall:
(1) Direct the performance of all duties and responsibilities required of that department by state law, this code or other city ordinances, and other duties as may be required by the Mayor as are not in conflict with law or ordinance;
(2) Supervise and evaluate the work of all subordinate employees assigned to that department and recommend to the Personnel Director appropriate salary changes, changes of status of other personnel actions affecting the employees and in accordance with the municipal personnel ordinance and regulations;
(3) Be immediately responsible to the City Manager for the effective administration of that department and all activities assigned to it;
(4) Submit to the governing body through the City Manager annual reports and other reports as may be requested concerning the planning and performance of the department;
(5) Keep informed of administrative and operational practices and developments within the department’s field of endeavor and institute within the department those practices he deems to be in the best interest of the municipality;
(6) Coordinate and cooperate with the directors of other departments and with other agencies and officials and with the public in order to best carry out the duties of the department and the municipality;
(7) Perform or supervise the performance of additional, related duties as the Mayor or City Manager or governing body may assign; and
(8) Prepare, recommend and administer the departmental annual and/or adjusted budget.
(’87 Code, § 3-1-2) (Ord. 90-007)
Cross-reference:
Department directors; hiring, see Charter § 5.02
Department directors; discipline; termination, see Charter § 5.03
32.03 DEPARTMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
(A) A director of a department may devise supplementary rules, regulations and procedures to control and further the work of the department that do not conflict with existing laws, ordinances or resolutions of the governing body. The rules, regulations and procedures shall not take effect until they have been approved by the City Manager.
(B) A copy of the rules, regulations and procedures, together with the approval of the Mayor, shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall be conspicuously posted on bulletin boards within the department affected.
(’87 Code, § 3-1-3) (Ord. 90-007)
SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS
32.15 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
(A) The Department of Public Safety is hereby created. (’87 Code, § 3-2-1)
(B) The Department shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities relating to law enforcement and emergency services, as conferred by this section or any other ordinance of the city, and shall have other and additional powers, duties and responsibilities as may be lawfully imposed upon it from time to time by any administrative directive, resolution, rule, ordinance or law. (’87 Code, § 3-2-2)
(C) The Director of Public Safety shall be appointed as provided herein. (’87 Code, § 3-2-4)
(D) The powers, duties and responsibilities pertaining to the Department, including but not limited to law enforcement and emergency services, are hereby combined in the persons of public safety officers. Public safety officers shall perform the duties and have the powers and responsibilities as shall be conferred upon them from time to time by the Director of the Department. The Director of the Department shall have authority to confer powers and duties consistent with this code, other ordinances of the city, administrative directive, resolution or as otherwise provided by law. (’87 Code, § 3-2-6)
(E) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons without authority, to exercise or attempt to exercise the function of or hold himself or themselves out to any person or persons, company, association or corporation as a public safety officer of the city. (’87 Code, § 3-2-7)
(F) With the exception of the powers and duties expressly given to the Department of Fire and Rescue, all provisions of this Code, ordinances of the city, agreements or other law relating to law enforcement or emergency services, are hereby deemed to refer to and to confer powers, duties, responsibilities or protections upon the Public Safety Department and its officers. (’87 Code, § 3-2-8)
(G) The Director is hereby authorized to make and implement rules and regulations in accordance and compliance with the laws and ordinances governing law enforcement, emergency services, or other duties or responsibilities belonging to the Department, to provide for cross-training, mutual cooperation, integration, consolidation and implementation as he shall see fit, of all the duties, responsibilities and activities within the Department, all to implement the purposes of this section. (’87 Code, § 3-2-9)
(H) The Director is hereby authorized at his discretion to utilize volunteers in order to organize a force of volunteer and/or reserve public safety officers within the Department. Public safety officers shall perform only duties within the Department as the Director shall specifically confer upon them. The Director shall be responsible to conduct and/or supervise necessary drills, training and/or instruction to insure that volunteer public safety officers are qualified and trained to function within the specific duties to which they are assigned by the Director. (’87 Code, § 3-2-10)
(I) The Department shall be equipped with apparatus and other equipment as may be required from time to time to provide for law enforcement and emergency services, and otherwise perform the duties and responsibilities belonging to the Department. All equipment of the Department shall be safely and conveniently housed in a place or places as may be designated by the Director with the approval of the governing body. No persons shall handle or use the equipment of the Department except as authorized by the Director. (’87 Code, § 3-2-11)
(J) The Department is hereby authorized to enter into agreements to furnish law enforcement or emergency services outside the corporate limits of the city or to enter into mutual aid agreements on behalf of the city. Agreements shall be entered into only upon the advice and approval of a majority of the members of the governing body. The Department is authorized to render law enforcement and emergency services to communities, organizations, owners or occupants of premises outside the corporate limits of the city. The services shall only be rendered subject to the terms of an agreement entered into according to the provisions of this section. (’87 Code, § 3-2-12)
(Ord. 85-157; Am. Ord. 90-007; Am. Ord. 07-19)
Penalty, see § 10.99
Cross-reference:
Traffic Code, see Title VII
32.16 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.
(A)(1) The Financial Services Department is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided herein.
(3) The Financial Services Director shall serve concurrently as the City Treasurer.
(’87 Code, § 3-4-1)
(B) The Financial Services Director (City Treasurer) shall:
(1) Finance.
(a) Supervise and perform the depositing and safekeeping of all money belonging to the city;
(b) With the advice and consent of the governing body as Board of Finance, designate banks qualified to receive on deposit money entrusted to his care;
(c) Receive all money belonging to the city;
(d) Keep all accounts and records in the manner prescribed by the governing body;
(e) Keep all money of the city separate from any other money in his possession;
(f) Expend the money only as authorized in budgets approved by the governing body;
(g) Submit monthly or more often as required by the City Manager and/or governing body, a report of the receipts and expenditures of the city;
(h) Prepare annually, at the close of the fiscal year, a financial report showing the receipts, expenditures and balances for each fund; then, a copy of the report shall be filed in the Department of the City Clerk as a public document;
(i) With the advice and consent of the governing body, invest available money in interest-bearing accounts of other secured investments as are authorized by law;
(j) Prepare and submit to the local government division of the State Department of Finance and administration the quarterly or other financial reports as are required by regulation or statute;
(k) Keep the financial records of the city open to inspection by any citizen during the regular business hours of the city;
(l) Provide department support of the city’s grant administration program; and
(m) Provide accounts receivable/payable functions, including emergency medical services billing and collections.
(2) Purchasing. Perform all purchasing, contract administration, and inventory control functions for the city.
(3) Motor vehicle. Operate and manage satellite State of New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department vehicle registration office, as long as the city has such function.
(’87 Code, § 3-4-2) (Ord. 90-007; Am. Ord. 04-034; Am. Ord. 07-71)
32.17 DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE.
(A) The Department of Fire and Rescue is hereby created.
(B) The Department shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities relating to fire protection and fire safety, ambulance and other medical rescue services as conferred by this section or any other ordinances of the city, and shall have other and additional powers, duties and responsibilities, as may be lawfully imposed upon it from time to time by any administrative directive, resolution, rule, ordinance or law.
(C) The Director shall be appointed as provided in this Code.
(D) The Director shall have all relevant powers and authority over the Department and its operations as is given to the Director of Public Safety for that Department, as set forth and prescribed in § 32.15.
(E) The powers, duties and responsibilities pertaining to the Department shall be carried out by persons designated as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
(F) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons without authority to exercise or attempt to exercise the function of or hold himself or themselves out to any person or persons, company, association or corporation as a firefighter or a city emergency medical technician.
(Ord. 07-19)
32.18 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
(A)(1) The Department of Human Resources is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided in this Code.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) All necessary personnel services required to fill vacancies, create new positions, orient new employees and carry out all functions necessary to administer Chapter 38 of this Code;
(2) Custodial services for all personnel records, forms and procedures for the administration of Chapter 38 of this Code;
(3) Coordination of the resolution of employee grievances;
(4) Development and administration of the wage and salary program for city employees;
(5) Development and administration of the performance appraisal program;
(6) Development and administration of a job classification system;
(7) Development and implementation of training and educational programs;
(8) Administration of the Worker’s Compensation program and safe workplace standards program;
(9) Assurance of regulatory compliance with all applicable laws regarding applicants, employees and program participants;
(10) Coordination of effective labor relations with all bargaining units certified within the city;
(11) Performance of all payroll functions;
(12) All other services which may be required of a full service human resources organization.
(Ord. 07-72)
32.19 DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
(A)(1) The Department of Information Technology is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided in this Code.
(B) Under the Director’s supervision, the Department shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities relating to the acquisition of all computer and telephone hardware and software, applications support, network maintenance, and any other support and services required for municipal government operations relating to information technology.
(Ord. 19-36)
32.20 DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES.
(A)(1) The Department of Library and Information Services is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided in this Code.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) Administer the Rio Rancho Public Library System in accordance with the standards set by the New Mexico Library Association and the American Library Association. Such administration shall include the acquisition and care of the book and materials collection, selection and direction of the library staff and volunteers, and care of library equipment and physical locations.
(2) Direct long range planning efforts aimed at providing the city with continued quality library services and facilities.
(3) Provide staff assistance to the Library Board of Trustees.
(Ord. 19-35)
32.21 DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES.
(A)(1) The Department of Utility Operations is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided herein.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) Water supply and treatment/wastewater collection and treatment. Plan, implement and supervise a continuous program of maintenance, expansion and repair of city water production facilities, distribution systems, sewage collection systems and sewage processing plants.
(2) Billing and customer service. Provide billing and all customer service requirements applicable to the water/wastewater utility.
(3) Water conservation. Provide and maintain a continuous water conservation program in accordance with applicable policies and regulations promulgated by the Governing Body.
(4) Water rights. Provide water rights acquisition and staffing.
(5) Effluent/reuse. Provide, implement and maintain an effluent/reuse program in accordance with applicable policies and regulations promulgated by the Governing Body.
(Ord. 16-13)
32.22 RESERVED.
32.23 RESERVED.
32.24 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
(A)(1) The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided herein.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) Parks and facilities. Provide for the professional administration of construction, operations and maintenance of all current and future city parks and applicable facilities, including aquatics facilities and all city recreation facilities.
(2) Senior services. Provide for the professional administration of all educational and recreational programs for the city’s senior citizens; supervision of day-to-day maintenance of current and future senior centers and center equipment and related paratransit activities; and administration of and staff support to the Senior Services Advisory Board.
(3) Convention and Visitors Bureau. Provide for the professional administration of the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, including staff support to the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board; staffing and support of the city’s Film Office functions, Sports Council functions, events planning, community promotions and all marketing and advertising relevant to the above functions.
(4) Programming and civic outreach. Provide for the professional administration of all city recreation programs; of the Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful program, including staff support to the Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Committee; of the city’s Rio Vision cable television program or any similar program; of the city’s public communications operations; of the city’s website design, content and maintenance; of the city’s Neighborhood Association Liaison program; of the city’s volunteer program; and of the city’s Rio Rancho University program, or any derivation thereof.
(Ord. 04-031; Am. Ord. 07-73; Am. Ord. 07-89)
32.25 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
(A)(1) The Department of Public Works is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided herein.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) Engineering.
(a) Buildings. Planning, implementation and architectural support for the city’s long term public space requirements.
(b) Streets/rights-of-way. Provide overall strategic transit planning, including traffic studies and plans, traffic signal design, storm water management design, roadway design, non-motorized planning and design, and infrastructure rehabilitation planning.
(c) Water/wastewater. Provide for wastewater treatment plant design, water supply design, wastewater collection design and water rights acquisition support.
(d) Development review. Provide for geographic information support for all city departments; provide for technical support and review of all development review requirements.
(2) Streets and public rights-of-way.
(a) Streets/sidewalks/rights-of-way. Provide operations and maintenance support as required for all city streets, roads, sidewalks and rights-of-way.
(b) Signs/signals. Provide operations and maintenance support for all city-owned or supported signs and traffic signals.
(c) Drainage. Provide all operations and maintenance support required for all city-owned and maintained drainage areas and facilities.
(3) Buildings and fleet.
(a) Asset management. Provide required management of city buildings and vehicle fleet.
(b) Building repair and maintenance. Provide repair and maintenance services for all city buildings.
(c) Fleet maintenance. Provide repair and maintenance for all city vehicles.
(d) Custodial services. Provide custodial services for all city buildings and facilities.
(Ord. 04-032; Am. Ord. 07-74; Am. Ord. 16-13)
32.26 DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
(A)(1) The Department of Development Services is hereby created.
(2) The Director shall be appointed as provided herein.
(B) The Director shall be responsible for the following functions:
(1) Planning. Provide for planning and development of short and long range land use plans and objectives, including the city’s formal land use plan, corridor plans and transit plans; review of proposed annexations and city or developer master plans; site plan reviews; platting and replatting services and review; redevelopment/blighting staffing and review; support to the Planning and Zoning Board as required; and all other technical staff support to city departments related to land use.
(2) Building and zoning.
(a) Zoning. Provide for all technical zoning advice and support, including analysis and drafting of zoning ordinances and zone map amendments; issuance of special permits and home occupation permits; day-to-day administration of the impact fee ordinance requirements; and support to the Planning and Zoning Board as required.
(b) Building. Examine building plans to assure compliance with applicable codes and zoning ordinances; authorize issuance of building permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy.
(3) Community development.
(a) Grants administration. Administer all city grants, including the community development block grant program.
(b) Lands management. Manage all city land and right-of-way acquisition and disposition; develop and implement strategic lands management plan.
(c) Economic development. Provide cooperative liaison with regional Economic Development Agency (base jobs); provide in-house economic development services (retail/commercial).
(Ord. 04-033)